Five reasons why yoghurt should be a part of your daily diet

Ask any Indian — irrespective of age, gender, region or religion — and they’ll tell you yoghurt is good for your health. That plain old bowl of  dahi  is full of nutrition and traditionally considered beneficial, and that’s probably the reason your mother fed you a few spoonfuls of yoghurt before every exam. But do you know exactly why yoghurt is so good for you? [caption id=“attachment_7967841” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. Image by Elias Sch. from Pixabay.[/caption] Yoghurt is rich in protein, calcium, phosphorus, B vitamins, and has probiotic qualities. These nutrients make yoghurt extremely beneficial, and scientists are still discovering the full scope of these benefits. A recent study published in the journal of  Medical Hypothesis  reveals that eating yoghurt daily may help prevent breast cancer in women, thanks to the presence of lactose fermenting bacteria or microflora. While this theory is yet to be proved through clinical trials, here are five reasons why you should include yoghurt in your daily diet (if you already haven’t).

1. Yoghurt improves digestion

We’re sure you already know that yoghurt contains effective probiotics (which are basically live bacteria or yeast) which improve digestion. Yoghurt usually contains  Lactobacillus  and  Bifidobacteria, both of which are known to reduce signs of bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, and is known to lessen the discomfort that patients of irritable bowel syndrome have.  

2. Yoghurt aids weight loss

A study published in the journal of  Food, Science and Nutrition in 2018  proved that when paired with a regular exercise routine, yoghurt consumption can increase serotonin and protein levels and decrease the levels of triglycerides (bad cholesterol). This combination can, therefore, help you lose weight the healthy way, and maintain it for the rest of your life.

3. Yoghurt for strong bones

Yoghurt is rich in calcium and phosphorus, so eating enough of it can help you build strong bones and even help recovery from bone injuries and fractures. Add potassium and vitamin D — which yoghurt is also rich in — and this food can even help you prevent bone diseases like osteoporosis and arthritis.

4. Yoghurt for better immunity

All probiotics have been proved to reduce inflammation and keep viral and bacterial infections away. Yoghurt is one of the richest sources of probiotics, so having it daily can actually give your immunity a boost and keep seasonal infections away.

5. Yoghurt for a healthy heart

Consuming yoghurt can reduce your triglyceride (which increase the risk of heart disease) levels and increase the high-density lipoprotein (HDL or good cholesterol) levels. Increased HDL and decreased triglycerides are a sign of good health and are known to reduce the chances of cardiovascular diseases. Adding yoghurt to your diet to improve your heart health is a good bet. Apart from being good for your health, yoghurt is absolutely delicious and it’s a versatile ingredient that goes into the making of the healthiest recipes. There’s no reason, except lactose intolerance, to not have this healthy food every day. For more information, read our article on   Indigestion: Symptoms, causes, treatment_._ Health articles in Firstpost are written by myUpchar.com, India’s first and biggest resource for verified medical information. At myUpchar, researchers and journalists work with doctors to bring you information on all things health.